Entries by Brevity Law

Did You Know that CV Liars Now Face Jail Time?

“Fraud is a cancer that is crippling our country” (Supreme Court of Appeal in 2019) An all-too-common scenario in these times of high unemployment is job applicants who, desperate to be hired, lie about their qualifications on their CVs. Recent high-profile stories of fake doctors and the like are no doubt only the tip of […]

A Costly Case of Buyer’s Remorse

“Caveat subscriptor” – old legal maxim meaning “Let the signer beware!’ A recent High Court decision once again highlights the dangers of signing anything without reading, understanding and fully considering it. A “Renovator’s Dream” and a case of buyer’s remorse A couple viewed a house advertised as “a renovator’s dream” and they immediately decided to […]

Buying a Used Car – Your Rights

“The buyer needs a hundred eyes, the seller but one” (Old proverb) You buy a “pre-loved” vehicle which turns out to be a complete dud. You go back to the dealership which says “sorry, you bought it as is, not our problem”. What are your rights? Buying from a private seller When we discuss the […]

Selling Your House to a Non-Resident

“Oh, I’m an alien, I’m a legal alien” (Sting’s ‘Englishman in New York’) South Africa is attractive to overseas property buyers with our world-class lifestyle, depreciated Rand, strong property registration and legal systems, and minimal restrictions against non-resident property ownership. Which is of course great news for property sellers in any area popular with foreign […]

How Does the New Divorce Act Ruling Affect You?

Media reports of the recent Constitutional Court decision holding a section of the Divorce Act unconstitutional and giving Parliament 24 months to remedy that haven’t always been clear about who needs to be aware of this, and who doesn’t. Firstly, understand the three “marital regimes” available to you Legally, marriage amounts to a binding contract, […]

Security Warning: Property Sale Cybercrime Surges, and a New AI Danger

“The infectiousness of crime is like that of the plague” (Napoleon Bonaparte) This October marks the 20th anniversary of the globally observed “Cyber Security Awareness Month”, and with cybercrime continuing to surge, here’s a cautionary tale to bear in mind. You buy your dream house and pay the purchase price to the transferring attorneys (the conveyancers). […]

Dementia: Understanding Your Legal Options

“Dementia is the plague of our time, the disease of the century” (Unattributed) Dementia is a widespread medical condition that affects people of all ages but particularly the elderly, and includes conditions like Alzheimer’s. One of the most significant challenges of dementia is the loss of mental capacity, making it difficult for individuals to make […]